Who is Robert Grinsted?

Robert William Grinsted, also known as ‘Pop’ or Bob, was a beloved resident of Mission City during and after the Second World War and continues to hold a significant place in Mission’s history today. Following his move from Chelmsford, England to Mission in 1929 Grinsted was a resident of Mission for approximately thirty years. For three years Grinsted worked as an assistant janitor at Mission Secondary School until he was eventually promoted to Chief janitor. Many were extremely pleased about this promotion as he was a diligent and reliable worker. During his time in Mission, Grinsted made an impact on almost every person he met. A co-worker stated, “To pupils and teachers alike Bob acts in turn as a guide, councillor, and friend”. Grinsted did not just stick to his role as a janitor; he also took great pleasure in including himself in the happenings of the school and student’s lives. A perfect example of his devotion to students lay in the work he put into his column writing about current and former students off at war. In the present day, Grinsted’s work continues to be referenced as it is one of the few salvaged primary resources for information regarding World War II in the Fraser Valley. Robert Grinsted is the epitome of local history. He is a man who made it his mission to keep his community up to date on the experiences of the boys and girls at war and as a result, he created an easily accessible medium for local history to be consumed that has stood the test of time.